Ksplice Uptrack allows system administrators to update the running Linux kernel "rebootlessly," using technology first developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Fedora and other major Linux distributions generally ask their users to reboot roughly once a month to install a new kernel to fix security and reliability issues. Empirically, users rarely install such updates -- Ksplice has measured real-world compliance at about 20% -- and until a system can be updated, it remains vulnerable to security flaws. By allowing IT administrators to install kernel updates without downtime, Uptrack dramatically reduces the cost of system administration and boosts adherence to security updates to greater than 95%.

Ksplice Uptrack allows system administrators to update the running Linux kernel "rebootlessly," using technology first developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Fedora and other major Linux distributions generally ask their users to reboot roughly once a month to install a new kernel to fix security and reliability issues. Empirically, users rarely install such updates -- Ksplice has measured real-world compliance at about 20% -- and until a system can be updated, it remains vulnerable to security flaws. By allowing IT administrators to install kernel updates without downtime, Uptrack dramatically reduces the cost of system administration and boosts adherence to security updates to greater than 95%.

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Ksplice Inc. will supply Fedora's own kernel updates in rebootless form to users of the Ksplice Uptrack client software. The service will be free of charge. The client software is licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.

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Ksplice Inc. will supply rebootless versions of the kernel updates Fedora distributes. The service will be free of charge. The client software is licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.

Feature Name

Ksplice Uptrack rebootless kernel updates

Summary

Keep Fedora's kernel up-to-date without rebooting. This uses the Ksplice Uptrack service to safely update the running kernel in memory, making it more convenient to stay on top of security and other important kernel updates.

Owner

Current status

Detailed Description

Ksplice Uptrack allows system administrators to update the running Linux kernel "rebootlessly," using technology first developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Fedora and other major Linux distributions generally ask their users to reboot roughly once a month to install a new kernel to fix security and reliability issues. Empirically, users rarely install such updates -- Ksplice has measured real-world compliance at about 20% -- and until a system can be updated, it remains vulnerable to security flaws. By allowing IT administrators to install kernel updates without downtime, Uptrack dramatically reduces the cost of system administration and boosts adherence to security updates to greater than 95%.

Ksplice Inc. will supply rebootless versions of the kernel updates Fedora distributes. The service will be free of charge. The client software is licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.

Benefit to Fedora

Fedora will gain the capability to apply important kernel updates without the disruption and downtime of a reboot. This will boost the security and reliability of systems that choose to install such rebootless updates. Fedora will become the first Linux distribution to integrate rebootless updates into the distribution.